Techniques for accessing memory cells

ABSTRACT

Techniques for accessing memory cells are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus providing voltage to a high impedance node of a memory cell. The apparatus may comprise a precharge switch coupled to a first voltage source node, a precharge capacitor coupled to the precharge switch, and a switch matrix coupled to the precharge capacitor, a second voltage source node, and the high impedance node of the memory cell. The precharge switch may be configured to decouple the precharge capacitor from the first voltage source node, and the switch matrix may be configured to decouple the second voltage source node from the high impedance node of the memory cell and to couple the precharge capacitor to the high impedance node of the memory cell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/422,870, filed Mar. 16, 2012, which is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/019,320, filed on Jan. 24, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,264,041, issued Sep. 11, 2012, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to memory devices and, more particularly, to techniques for accessing memory cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

As the performance of microprocessors improves, there is a growing demand for better performance, higher density memory. Memory manufacturers have addressed this challenge in at least two ways: by developing new types of memory, such as zero-capacitor random access memory (Z-RAM), and by improving the signaling for accessing memory, such as using boosted voltages for accessing SRAM cells. Although these developments helped satisfy the demand for better memory, these developments increased the complexity of memory devices and led to the use of multiple voltage levels in memory devices.

Unfortunately, using multiple voltage levels in memory devices can be expensive in terms of manufacturing cost and power consumption. To use multiple voltage levels, memory devices can either generate the multiple voltage levels on-chip or receive multiple voltage levels from off-chip voltage sources. However, generating multiple voltages on-chip can entail using a charge pump or a tank capacitor, which can consume a large amount of power and die-area. Receiving voltages from off-chip voltage sources can entail dedicating multiple pins for receiving voltages, which can increase the packaging and manufacturing cost.

In view of the foregoing, it may be understood that there may be significant problems and shortcomings associated with current memory technologies.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Each patent, patent application, and/or publication mentioned in this specification is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to the same extent as if each individual patent, patent application, and/or publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to facilitate a fuller understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals. These drawings should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure, but are intended to be illustrative only.

FIG. 1 shows a Z-RAM memory cell in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows how an access controller accesses and programs a Z-RAM memory cell in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a charge sharing technique in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a memory apparatus using a charge sharing technique in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates how an access controller configures the electrical state of a switch matrix in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates changes of voltage in a memory apparatus using a charge sharing technique in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a memory apparatus, with a single-stage wordline decoder, using a charge sharing technique in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a memory apparatus, with a two-stage wordline decoder, using a charge sharing technique in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Techniques for accessing memory cells are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus providing voltage to a high impedance node of a memory cell. The apparatus may comprise a precharge switch coupled to a first voltage source node, a precharge capacitor coupled to the precharge switch, and a switch matrix coupled to the precharge capacitor, a second voltage source node, and the high impedance node of the memory cell. The precharge switch may be configured to decouple the precharge capacitor from the first voltage source node, and the switch matrix may be configured to decouple the second voltage source node from the high impedance node of the memory cell and to couple the precharge capacitor to the high impedance node of the memory cell.

In accordance with other aspects of this particular embodiment, the memory cell in the apparatus may comprise a zero-capacitor random access memory (Z-RAM) cell, and the high impedance node of the memory cell may comprise a gate node of the Z-RAM cell.

In accordance with further aspects of this particular embodiment, the first voltage source node may be configured to provide a write voltage of the memory cell and the second voltage source node may be configured to provide a hold voltage of the memory cell.

In accordance with additional aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge capacitor may comprise a parasitic capacitor of a conductive line between the precharge switch and the switch matrix.

In accordance with additional aspects of this particular embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise an access controller configured to control the precharge switch and the switch matrix to provide selected voltage levels to the high impedance node.

In accordance with further aspects of this particular embodiment, in a first mode of operation the access controller may be configured to trigger the precharge switch to couple the first voltage source node to the precharge capacitor and to trigger the switch matrix to couple the second voltage source node to the high impedance node, and in a second mode of operation the access controller may be configured to trigger the precharge switch to decouple the first voltage source node from the precharge capacitor and to trigger the switch matrix to couple the precharge capacitor to the high impedance node.

In accordance with further aspects of this particular embodiment, in a first mode of operation the access controller may be configured to trigger the precharge switch and the switch matrix to couple the first voltage source node to the precharge capacitor and the high impedance node, in a second mode of operation, the access controller may be configured to trigger the precharge switch to decouple the first voltage source node to the precharge capacitor, to trigger the switch matrix to decouple the high impedance node from the precharge capacitor, and to trigger the switch matrix to couple the high impedance node to the second voltage source node, and in a third mode of operation the access controller may be configured to trigger the switch matrix to decouple the high impedance node from the second voltage source and to couple the precharge capacitor to the high impedance node.

In accordance with additional aspects of this particular embodiment, the switch matrix may comprise a first switch and a second switch, and the first switch and the second switch may be connected in series. One node of the first switch may be coupled to the precharge capacitor, one node of the second switch may be coupled to the second voltage source node, and a common node of the first switch and the second switch may be coupled to the high impedance node of the memory cell.

In accordance with further aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge switch may comprise a tri-state logic gate.

In accordance with further aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge switch may comprise a transmission gate.

In accordance with further aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge capacitor may comprise a wordline bus, the precharge switch may comprise a first demultiplexer coupled to the wordline bus, and the switch matrix may comprise a second multiplexer configured to couple the wordline bus to the high impedance node.

In another particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a memory apparatus. The memory apparatus may comprise a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells, a wordline coupled to a high impedance node of one or more of the plurality of memory cells in the memory cell array, a precharge switch coupled to a first voltage source node, a precharge capacitor coupled to the precharge switch, and a switch matrix coupled to the precharge capacitor, a second voltage source node, and the high impedance node of the memory cell. The precharge switch may be configured to decouple the precharge capacitor from the first voltage source node, and the switch matrix may be configured to decouple the second voltage source node from the high impedance node of the memory cell and to couple the precharge capacitor to the high impedance node of the memory cell.

In accordance with aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge capacitor may comprise a parasitic capacitor of a conductive line between the precharge switch and the switch matrix.

In accordance with aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge capacitor may comprise a capacitor formed by a dummy wordline coupled to one or more memory cells in the memory cell array.

In accordance with aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge switch may comprise a tri-state logic gate.

In accordance with further aspects of this particular embodiment, the switch matrix may comprise a first switch and a second switch, and the first switch and the second switch may be connected in series. One node of the first switch may be coupled to the precharge capacitor, one node of the second switch may be coupled to the second voltage source node, and a common node of the first switch and the second switch may be coupled to the high impedance node of the memory cell.

In accordance with additional aspects of this particular embodiment, the first switch and the second switch may each comprise a respective transmission gate.

In accordance with aspects of this particular embodiment, the memory apparatus may comprise an access controller configured to control the precharge switch and the switch matrix to provide selected voltage levels to the high impedance node.

In accordance with further aspects of this particular embodiment, in a first mode of operation the access controller may trigger the precharge switch to couple the first voltage source node to the precharge capacitor and trigger the switch matrix to couple the second voltage source node to the high impedance node, and in a second mode of operation the access controller may trigger the precharge switch to decouple the first voltage source node from the precharge capacitor and trigger the switch matrix to couple the precharge capacitor to the high impedance node.

In accordance with additional aspects of this particular embodiment, in a first mode of operation the access controller may be configured to trigger the precharge switch and the switch matrix to couple the first voltage source node to the precharge capacitor and the high impedance node, in a second mode of operation the access controller may be configured to trigger the precharge switch to decouple the first voltage source node to the precharge capacitor, to trigger the switch matrix to decouple the high impedance node from the precharge capacitor, and to trigger the switch matrix to couple the high impedance node to the second voltage source node, and in a third mode of operation the access controller may be configured to trigger the switch matrix to decouple the high impedance node from the second voltage source and to couple the precharge capacitor to the high impedance node.

In accordance with aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge capacitor may comprise a wordline bus, the precharge switch may comprise a first demultiplexer coupled to the wordline bus, and the switch matrix may comprise a second multiplexer configured to couple the wordline bus to the high impedance node.

In another particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as logic encoded on one or more non-transitory media for execution and when executed operable to provide a desired voltage to a high impedance node of a memory cell. The logic may be operable to trigger a precharge switch to couple a precharge capacitor to a first voltage source to charge the precharge capacitor to a first voltage, trigger a switch matrix to couple the high impedance node of the memory cell to a second voltage source to charge the high impedance node of the memory cell to a second voltage, and trigger the precharge switch to decouple the precharge capacitor from the first voltage source. The logic may further trigger the switch matrix to decouple the high impedance node of the memory cell from the second voltage source, and trigger the switch matrix to couple the precharge capacitor to the high impedance node of the memory cell, thereby providing a voltage to the high impedance node of the memory cell.

In accordance with aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge capacitor may comprise a capacitor bank that may be configured to provide a selected capacitance.

In accordance with further aspects of this particular embodiment, the logic may be further operable to configure the capacitor bank to provide the desired voltage to the high impedance node of the memory cell.

In accordance with additional aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge switch may comprise a tri-state logic gate.

In accordance with aspects of this particular embodiment, the precharge capacitor may comprise a wordline bus, the precharge switch may comprise a first demultiplexer coupled to the wordline bus, and the switch matrix may comprise a second multiplexer configured to couple the wordline bus to the high impedance node.

The present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to particular embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings. While the present disclosure is described below with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional implementations, modifications, and embodiments, as well as other fields of use, which are within the scope of the present disclosure as described herein, and with respect to which the present disclosure may be of significant utility.

Disclosed apparatuses and methods illustrate efficient mechanisms for providing (e.g., applying, delivering, generating etc.) multiple voltage levels to memory cells. The disclosed mechanisms can use a charge sharing technique for providing arbitrary voltages to a high impedance node of a memory cell.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, one of the memory cells with a high impedance node is a zero-capacitor random access memory (Z-RAM) memory cell. A Z-RAM memory cell has a single transistor 100 with a gate 102, a source, 104, a drain 106, and an electrically floating body 108, and a Z-RAM transistor 100 can be built on a Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) wafer 110. A notable characteristic of the Z-RAM transistor 100 is that it stores its data state in the floating body 108. Further details of the Z-RAM technology can be found in the apparatuses and methods disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/019,320, by Okhonin, filed on Jan. 24, 2008, entitled “Semiconductor Device With Electrically Floating Body,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in accordance with certain embodiments, how a Z-RAM memory device accesses and programs Z-RAM transistors 100. A Z-RAM memory device can be in one of the following modes of operation: a hold mode, a read mode, a write logical “high” mode, and a write logical “low” mode. In the hold mode, a Z-RAM memory device maintains data states stored in Z-RAM transistors 100; in the read mode, a Z-RAM memory device reads the stored data states from Z-RAM transistors 100; in a write logical “high” mode, a Z-RAM memory device writes a “high” data state to Z-RAM transistors 100; and in a write logical “low” mode, a Z-RAM memory device writes a “low” data state to Z-RAM transistors 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in each of these modes, the Z-RAM memory device can provide different voltages to Z-RAM transistors to place these transistors into appropriate operating modes. For example, in the hold mode, the Z-RAM memory device can provide −1.5V, 0V, and 2.5V to the transistors' gate 102, source 104, and drain 106, respectively; in the read mode, the Z-RAM memory device can provide −1V, 0V, and 2.5V to the transistors' gate 102, source 104, and drain 106, respectively; in a write logical “high” mode, the Z-RAM memory device can provide 0.5V, 0V, and 2.5V to the transistors' gate 102, source 104, and drain 106, respectively; and in a write logical “low” mode, the Z-RAM memory device can provide 0.5V, 0.5V, and 2.5V to the transistors' gate 102, source 104, and drain 106, respectively.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the high impedance node of the Z-RAM transistor 100, i.e., the gate 102, receives one of three voltages: a hold voltage V_(hd) (e.g., −1.5V), a write voltage V_(wr) (e.g., 0.5V), and a read voltage V_(r), (e.g., −0.5V). Therefore, as long as the Z-RAM memory device provides these three voltage levels, the Z-RAM memory device can provide appropriate voltages to the high impedance node of the Z-RAM transistor.

Although the precise value of the read voltage V_(r) can vary from one embodiment of Z-RAM to another, the read voltage V_(r) can be designed to lie between the hold voltage V_(hd) and the write voltage V_(wr). The disclosed embodiments illustrate that, when the hold voltage V_(hd) and the write voltage V_(wr) are provided through other means, the read voltage V_(r) can be generated from the hold voltage V_(hd) and the write voltage V_(wr) using a charge sharing technique.

Charge sharing is a technique for generating a voltage that is a weighted average of two voltages. FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate charge sharing in accordance with certain embodiments. In FIG. 3A, capacitors C₁ 302 and C₂ 304 are individually biased at voltages V₁ and V₂, respectively, and are decoupled from any voltage sources. Furthermore, the capacitors C₁ 302 and C₂ 304 are electrically decoupled by an open switch SW 306. Therefore, the capacitor C₁ 302 maintains C₁V₁ of charge; the capacitor C₂ 304 maintains C₂V₂ of charge.

In FIG. 3B, the two capacitors C₁ 302 and C₂ 304 become electrically coupled by the closed switch SW 306. When the switch SW 306 shorts the two capacitors C₁ 302 and C₂ 304, the capacitors C₁ 302 and C₂ 304 start sharing charges that were individually maintained. This charge sharing equalizes the voltage across the capacitors C₁ 302 and C₂ 304 to V_(final).

Conservation of electric charges states that the total amount of charge before closing the switch SW 306 (i.e., FIG. 3A) should be equal to the total amount of charge after closing the switch SW 306 (i.e., FIG. 3B). In other words, (C₁+C₂)V_(final)=C₁V₁+C₂V₂. Therefore, the voltage across the capacitors C₁ 302 and C₂ 304 after closing the switch SW 306 is:

$V_{final} = \frac{{C_{1}V_{1}} + {C_{2}V_{2}}}{\left( {C_{1} + C_{2}} \right)}$ Thus, the charge sharing mechanism can provide a voltage V_(final) that is a weighted average of two voltages V₁ and V₂. The weights can be controlled by changing the capacitance of the capacitors C₁ 302 and C₂ 304. As long as the common node between the two capacitors C₁ 302 and C₂ 304 is not coupled to a low-impedance node, such as a charge sink, the voltage V_(final) at the common node can be maintained.

Memory devices can use this charge sharing technique to provide arbitrary voltages for high impedance nodes of memory cells. As long as the memory device has access to two boundary voltage levels (i.e., V₁ and V₂ in FIGS. 3A-3B), the memory device can provide arbitrary voltage levels that are between them through charge sharing. For example, if a Z-RAM memory device has access to the write voltage V_(wr) and the hold voltage V_(hd), the memory device can provide the read voltage V_(r) via charge sharing.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram that is configured to read and program a memory cell in accordance with certain embodiments. FIG. 4 includes a memory cell 400, a pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402, the high impedance node capacitance C_(g) 404 of the memory cell 400, a switch matrix 406 that includes a down switch SW_(dn) 408 and an up switch SW_(up) 410, a pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412, and voltage sources 414, 416. The memory cell can include a Z-RAM memory cell 400. If the memory cell includes a Z-RAM memory cell 400, the high impedance node capacitance C_(g) 404 of the memory cell can be the effective gate capacitance of the Z-RAM memory cell 400. The switches 408, 410, 412 can be controlled using an access controller 418, and the voltage sources 414, 416 can include a charge pump, a tank capacitor, or a voltage reference.

As discussed above, certain embodiments of a Z-RAM memory cell have four modes of operations: a hold mode, a read mode, and two writing modes. In a hold mode of the memory cell 400, the access controller 418 configures the switches to provide the hold voltage V_(hd) to the high impedance node of the memory cell 400. To this end, the access controller 418 can close the down switch SW_(dn) 408 and opens the up switch SW_(up) 410. This triggers the hold voltage source 414 to charge the effective high impedance node capacitance C_(g) 404 of the memory cell, bringing the gate voltage V_(g) to the hold voltage V_(hd).

When the memory device switches from the hold mode to a write mode, the access controller 418 configures the switch matrix 406 to provide the write voltage V_(wr) to the gate of the memory cell 400. To this end, the access controller 418 can open the down switch SW_(dn) 408, and close the up switch SW_(up) 410 and the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412. The access controller 418 can close the up switch SW_(up) 410 and the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412 substantially simultaneously. The write voltage source 416 would subsequently charge the high impedance node capacitance C_(g) 404 of the memory cell, bringing the gate voltage V_(g) to the write voltage V_(wr).

When the memory device switches from the hold mode to a read mode, the access controller 418 configures the switch matrix 406 to provide a read voltage V_(r) to the gate of the memory cell 400. The read voltage V_(r) can be provided from the charge sharing of the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 and the high impedance node capacitor C_(g) 404.

As a first step, the access controller 418 closes the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412 and opens the up switch SW_(up) 410. This way, the voltage source 416 pre-charges the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 to the write voltage V_(wr). Once the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 is pre-charged, the access controller 418 opens the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412, thereby electrically decoupling the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 from the voltage source 416.

Subsequently, the access controller 418 opens the down switch SW_(dn) 408 and closes the up switch SW_(up) 410 to couple the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 to the high impedance node capacitor C_(g) 404. In certain embodiments, the access controller 418 can open the down switch SW_(dn) 408 and close the up switch SW_(up) 410 substantially simultaneously. FIG. 5 illustrates, in accordance with certain embodiments, how the access controller 418 opens the down switch SW_(dn) 408 and closes the up switch SW_(up) 410 substantially simultaneously. The access controller 418 can provide a selection signal C_(n), which is directly coupled to the up switch SW_(up) 410. The selection signal C_(n) can also be provided to an inverter 420, the output of which is subsequently provided to the down switch SW_(dn) 408. This way, the electrical state of the down switch SW_(dn) 408 and the up switch SW_(up) 410 may change substantially simultaneously. In certain embodiments, the selection signal C_(n) can include a wordline selection signal provided by a wordline decoder. In certain embodiments, the access controller 418 can open the down switch SW_(dn) 408 first, and then subsequently close the up switch SW_(up) 410. This way, the hold voltage source 414 would not accidentally discharge the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402.

Once the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 is electrically coupled to the high impedance node capacitor C_(g) 404 through the up switch SW_(up) 410, the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 would share its charges with the high impedance node capacitor C_(g) 404. This would equalize the pre-charge voltage V_(pc) and the gate voltage V_(g), converging at the desired read voltage V_(r) according to the following equation:

$V_{r} = \frac{{C_{pc}V_{wr}} + {C_{g}V_{hd}}}{\left( {C_{pc} + C_{g}} \right)}$

In certain embodiments, the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 can include a parasitic capacitor formed by conductive lines (e.g., wires, traces, etc.). In other embodiments, the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 can include a capacitor bank. The capacitance of the capacitor bank can be programmed by logic so that the desired read voltage V_(r) can be programmed by logic.

FIG. 6 illustrates the voltage signals V_(pc) and V_(g) during the mode transition from the hold mode to the read mode in accordance with certain embodiments. At t=t1 and t=t2, the access controller 418 configures the switches to provide a floating pre-charge voltage V_(pc) biased at the write voltage V_(wr), while providing the hold voltage V_(hd) to the gate of the memory cell 400.

In certain embodiments, at t=t1, the access controller 418 closes the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412 and opens the up switch SW_(up) 410. This operation charges up the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 to the write voltage V_(wr) while decoupling the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 from the gate node of the memory cell. Substantially at the same time, the access controller 418 can also close the down switch SW_(dn) 408. This operation keeps the gate voltage V_(g) at the hold voltage V_(hd). Subsequently, at t=t2, the access controller 418 can open the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412 while keeping the configuration of other switches.

In other embodiments, at t=t1, the access controller 418 closes both the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412 and the up switch SW_(up) 410, thereby charging the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 as well as the gate node of the memory cell 400 to the write voltage V_(wr). Substantially at the same time, the access controller 418 can open the down switch SW_(dn) 408, thereby preventing a short between the write voltage source 416 and the hold voltage source 414. At t=t2, the access controller 418 opens both the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412 and the up switch SW_(up) 410, thereby providing a floating pre-charge voltage V_(pc) biased at the write voltage V_(wr) at the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402. Substantially at the same time, the access controller 418 can close the down switch SW_(dn) 408, thereby providing the hold voltage V_(hd) to the gate of the memory cell 400. This way, the access controller 418 can provide a floating pre-charge voltage V_(pc) biased at the write voltage V_(wr) while providing the hold voltage V_(hd) to the gate of the memory cell 400.

At t=t3, the access controller 418 opens the down switch SW_(dn) 408 and closes the up switch SW_(up) 410. This would electrically couple the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 and the high impedance node capacitor C_(g) 404, therefore, the pre-charge voltage V_(pc) and the gate voltage V_(g) converge to the desired read voltage V_(r) by t=t4.

In some embodiments, the switches can include a transmission gate. In other embodiments, the switches can include a pass gate. For example, the down switch SW_(dn) 408 can be formed using an N-type Metal Oxide Semiconductor (NMOS) transistor; the up switch SW_(up) 410 and the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412 can be formed using a P-type Metal Oxide Semiconductor (PMOS) transistor.

In certain embodiments, the write voltage source 416 and the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412 can be implemented using a single tri-state logic gate, also known as a tri-state driver. A tri-state logic gate allows an output port of the logic to assume a high impedance state in addition to the “low” and “high” logic levels. Therefore, the tri-state logic gate can provide the write voltage V_(wr) to the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 when it's in a logical “high” state; the tri-state logic gate can provide the hold voltage V_(hd) to the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 when it's in a logical “low” state; and the tri-state logic gate can decouple the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) 402 from the voltage source when it's in a high impedance state.

In certain embodiments, the access controller 418 can be implemented as logic. The logic can be implemented in hardware using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic array (PLA), or any other integrated circuit. The logic can be synthesized using a hardware description language (HDL), which includes Verilog, Bluespec, Very-high-speed integrated circuits hardware description language (VHDL), Ruby, MyHDL, SystemC, and System Verilog. In other embodiments, the access controller 418 can be implemented in software. The software can be stored in memory such as a non-transitory computer readable medium, a programmable read only memory (PROM), or flash memory. The software can run on a processor that executes instructions or computer code.

Various embodiments of the disclosed apparatuses and methods may be implemented in an integrated circuit device (for example, a discrete memory device or a device having an embedded memory device) including a memory array having a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and columns where each memory cell includes an electrically floating body transistor. The memory arrays may comprise N-channel, P-channel and/or both types of transistors. Indeed, circuitry that is peripheral to the memory array (for example, data sense circuitry (for example, sense amplifiers or comparators), a memory cell selection and control circuitry (for example, wordline and/or source line drivers), as well as row and column address decoders) may include P-channel and/or N-channel type transistors.

FIG. 7 shows, in accordance with certain embodiments, an integrated circuit device that includes a memory array 600, having a plurality of memory cells 400, a data write and sense circuitry 610, and a memory cell selection and control circuitry 604. The data write and sense circuitry (DWS) 610 reads data from and writes data to selected memory cells 400. In one embodiment, the DWS 610 includes a plurality of data sense amplifiers. Each data sense amplifier receives at least one bitline 608 and an output of reference generator circuitry (for example, a current or voltage reference signal). In one embodiment, the data sense amplifier may be a cross-coupled type sense amplifier as described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 7,301,838, filed by Waller and Carman on Dec. 12, 2005, and entitled “Sense Amplifier Circuitry and Architecture to Write Data into and/or Read Data from Memory Cells”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The data sense amplifier may employ voltage and/or current sensing circuitry and/or techniques. In the context of current sensing, a current sense amplifier may compare the current from the selected memory cell to a reference current, for example, the current of one or more reference cells. From that comparison, it may be determined whether memory cell 400 stores a logic high (relatively more majority carriers contained within body region 108) or a logic low data state (relatively less majority carriers contained within body region 18). The DWS 610 can include one or more sense amplifiers to read the data stored in memory cells 400 and/or write data in memory cells 400.

The memory cell selection and control circuitry (MSC) 604 can select (e.g., enable) one or more predetermined memory cells 400 to facilitate reading data from and/or writing data to the memory cells 400 by providing a control signal on one or more wordlines 602. The MSC 604 may provide such control signals using address data, for example, row address data. Indeed, the MSC 604 may include a conventional wordline decoder and/or driver. The MSC 604 can include the access controller 418 as disclosed in FIG. 4.

There are many different control/selection techniques (and circuitry) to implement the memory cell selection technique. Such techniques, and circuitry, are well known to those skilled in the art. All such control/selection techniques, and circuitry, whether now known or later developed, can be used with the disclosed apparatuses and methods.

The disclosed apparatuses and methods may be implemented in any architecture, layout, and/or configuration comprising memory cells having electrically floating body transistors. For example, in one embodiment, a memory array 600 including a plurality of memory cells 400 having a separate source line 606 for each column of memory cells and having a separate wordline line 602 for each row of the memory cells. The memory array 600 may employ one or more of the example programming, reading and/or holding techniques described above. The wordlines are coupled to a high impedance node of memory cells 400, i.e., the gate node of Z-RAM memory cells. Therefore, the access controller 418 (or the MSC 604 that embodies the access controller 418) can provide the desired voltage to the high impedance node of memory cells 400 by providing the desired voltage to the wordline associated with the memory cells 400.

The memory architecture of FIG. 7 can provide a voltage to a high impedance node of memory cells in accordance with certain embodiments. The wordlines 602 are driven by a wordline driver 612. The wordline driver 612 has a plurality of switch matrices 406, each switch matrix 406 coupled to one wordline 602. When the MSC 604 receives an instruction to read bits from the wordline addressed by an address “Adr,” the MSC 604 decodes the address “Adr” to determine which wordline is associated with the address “Adr”. Suppose, for illustration, that the address “Adr” is associated with the wordline 602 a. Upon decoding the address “Adr”, the MSC 604 identifies that the wordline 602 a is associated with the input address “Adr.” Therefore, the MSC 604 would trigger the switch matrix 406 a to provide a read voltage V_(r) to the wordline 602 a.

To trigger the switch matrix 406 a to provide the read voltage V_(r), the access controller 418 (or the MSC 604 that embodies the access controller 418) can sends control signals to the pre-charge switch 412 a and the switch matrix 406 a, as illustrated with respect to FIGS. 4,5. In FIG. 7, the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) can include a parasitic capacitor. This parasitic capacitor can be formed by the conductive line between the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412 and the up switch SW_(up) 410 in the switch matrix 406 a. In other embodiments, the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) can include a capacitor bank coupled to the conductive line between the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412 and the up switch SW_(up) 410 in the switch matrix 406 a.

First, the MSC 604 can pre-charge the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) to the write voltage V_(wr) by coupling the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) to the write voltage source (i.e., closing the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412) and by decoupling the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) from the wordline 602 a (i.e., opening the up switch SW_(up) 410 in the switch matrix 406 a.) At the same time, the MSC 604 can close the down switch SW_(dn) 408 in the switch matrix 406 a so that the wordline 602 a is pre-charged to the hold voltage V_(hd).

Second, the MSC 604 can open the pre-charge switch SW_(pc) 412, thereby decoupling the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) from the write voltage source. Third, the MSC 604 can open the down switch SW_(dn) 408 and close the up switch SW_(up) 410. This triggers the charge sharing between the pre-charge capacitor C_(pc) and the wordline 602 a. This charge sharing provides a read voltage V_(r) determined by the relative ratio of the pre-charge capacitor's capacitance and the wordline's capacitance. Therefore, the MSC 604 can provide the read voltage V_(r) to the addressed wordline 602 a without explicitly generating the read voltage V_(r) using charge pumps or tank capacitors.

The charge sharing mechanism can also be used in a multi-level wordline decoding architecture. FIG. 8 illustrates a two-step wordline decoding architecture in accordance with certain embodiments. FIG. 8 includes a wordline bus driver 710, a wordline bus 708, wordline drivers 704, and wordlines 602.

The wordline bus driver 710 can include a plurality of drivers 712 configured as a demultiplexer. Each driver 712 in the wordline bus driver 710 drives one of the signal lines B_(i) in the wordline bus 708. Each driver 712 can include a tri-state logic gate that can operate as a voltage source and a pre-charge switch, as discussed with respect to FIG. 4.

The wordline drivers 704 can include a plurality of switch matrices 406 also configured as a demultiplexer. Each signal line B_(i) in the wordline bus 708 is coupled to the i^(th) switch matrix 406 of each wordline driver 704. Also, the i^(th) switch matrix 406 in the j^(th) wordline driver 704 is configured to drive the i^(th) wordline associated with the j^(th) wordline driver I_(j). The number of switch matrices 406 in the wordline drivers 704 can be 2^(k), where k is an integer. For example, the number of switch matrices 406 in the wordline drivers 704 can be one of 4, 8, 16, 32 etc. The wordline bus driver 710 and the wordline driver 704 can together perform a two-stage address decoding, as described further below.

In certain embodiments, when the memory array is idle (i.e. not being read or programmed), the memory cell selection and control circuitry (MSC) 604 can close the down switch SW_(dn) 408 and open the up switch SW_(up) 410 in all the switch matrices 406. Therefore, when the memory array is idle, the high impedance node of memory cells 400 is coupled to the hold voltage V_(hd), as illustrated in FIG. 4.

When the MSC 604 receives an instruction to access (i.e., read or program) a portion of a memory array, the MSC 604 can send control signals to the associated wordline driver 704 in accordance with the operating mode. For example, when the MSC 604 receives an instruction to write bits to an address “Adr”, the MSC 604 can decode the address “Adr” to identify the memory cells 400 associated with the address “Adr.” Suppose, for illustration, that the address “Adr” is associated with memory cells coupled to the first wordline 602 ba of the second wordline driver I₂ 704B. The MSC 604 would perform the following operations to provide the write voltage V_(wr) to the first wordline 602 ba of the second wordline driver I₂ 704B.

First, the MSC 604 can trigger the wordline bus driver 710 to provide the write voltage V_(wr) to the first signal line B_(a). Second, the MSC 604 can trigger the wordline bus driver 710 to provide the hold voltage V_(hd) to all other signal lines on the wordline bus 708. The first and second steps would provide the write voltage V_(wr) to the first signal line B_(a), and provide the hold voltage V_(hd) to every other signal lines on the wordline bus 708.

Third, the MSC 604 can send control signals to the switch matrices 406 in the second wordline driver I₂ 704B to control their switch configurations. The MSC 604 can send the same control signals to all the switch matrices 406 in the second wordline driver I₂ 704B. The control signals can include a first control signal that opens the down switch SW_(dn) 408 of switch matrices and a second control signal that closes the up switch SW_(up) 410 of switch matrices. Because only the first signal line B_(a) carries the write voltage V_(wr), only the first wordline 602 ba of the second wordline driver I₂ 704B would receive the write voltage V_(wr); other wordlines 602 bb-602 bq of the second wordline driver I₂ 704B would receive the hold voltage V_(hd). Therefore, these three steps would provide the write voltage V_(wr) to the high impedance node of the memory cells associated with the address “Adr”.

The MSC 604 can perform similar steps to read bits from the address “Adr.” Suppose, for illustration, that the address “Adr” is associated with memory cells coupled to the first wordline 602 ba of the second wordline driver I₂ 704B. Therefore, the MSC 604 initiates the read process to provide the read voltage V_(r) to the first wordline 602 ba of the second wordline driver I₂ 704B. First, the MSC 604 can trigger the wordline bus driver 710 to provide the write voltage V_(wr) to the first signal line B_(a). This charges up the parasitic capacitance C_(pc) 402 of the first signal line B_(a) to the write voltage V_(wr). The MSC 604 can also open the up switch SW_(up) 410 and close the down switch SW_(dn) 408 of all switch matrices to provide the hold voltage V_(hd) to all the wordlines.

Second, the MSC 604 can trigger the wordline bus driver 710 to provide the hold voltage V_(hd) to all other signal lines on the wordline bus 708. This would charge up the parasitic capacitance C_(pc) 402 of these signal lines to the hold voltage V_(hd).

Third, the MSC 604 can decouple the wordline bus 708 from the wordline bus driver 710, thereby floating the wordline bus 708. However, the charge maintained in the wordline bus's parasitic capacitor would remain. Therefore, the voltage on the first signal line B_(a) would remain at the write voltage V_(wr); the voltage on other signal lines would remain at the hold voltage V_(hd).

Fourth, the MSC 604 can send control signals to switch matrices 406 in the second wordline driver I₂ 704B. The MSC 604 can send the same control signals to all the switch matrices 406 in the second wordline driver I₂ 704B. The control signals can include a first control signal that opens the down switch SW_(dn) 408 of the switch matrices and a second control signal that closes the up switch SW_(up) 410 of the switch matrices. This triggers the parasitic capacitor C_(pc) 402 of the first signal line B_(a) to share its charge with the wordline 602 ba, as illustrated in FIGS. 4,5. The parasitic capacitors C_(pc) 402 of the other signal lines do not necessarily share charges with the associated wordlines because both the parasitic capacitors C_(pc) 402 and the associated wordlines are at the hold voltage V_(hd). Therefore, the four steps illustrated above can provide the read voltage V_(r) to the memory cells addressed by “Adr,” while providing the hold voltage V_(hd) to other memory cells.

In certain embodiments, the MSC 604 can control the value of the read voltage V_(r) by configuring the pre-charge capacitor to provide a selected capacitance. The capacitance of the pre-charge capacitor can be selected by selectively coupling a capacitor bank to the wordline bus 708. The capacitor bank can be implemented using one or more dummy wordlines. For example, the memory array can include four dummy wordlines, each coupled to one or more dummy memory cells, and each dummy wordline can have an effective capacitance that is one quarter of regular wordline's capacitance. By selectively coupling one or more of these dummy wordlines to the wordline bus 704, the capacitance of the pre-charge capacitor can be configured in steps of ¼ of wordline's capacitor.

At this point it should be noted that apparatuses and methods for programming and reading memory cells in accordance with the present disclosure as described above may involve the processing of input data and the generation of output data to some extent. This input data processing and output data generation may be implemented in hardware or software. For example, specific electronic components may be employed in a computer apparatus or similar or related circuitry for implementing the functions associated with apparatuses and methods for programming and reading memory cells in accordance with the present disclosure as described above. Alternatively, one or more processors operating in accordance with instructions may implement the functions associated with apparatuses and methods for programming and reading memory cells in accordance with the present disclosure as described above. If such is the case, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that such instructions may be stored on one or more non-transitory processor readable storage media (e.g., a magnetic disk or other storage medium), or transmitted to one or more processors via one or more signals embodied in one or more carrier waves.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, other various embodiments of and modifications to the present disclosure, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a high impedance node of a memory cell is not limited to a gate node of a Z-RAM cell. A high impedance node of a memory cell includes any nodes, in a memory cell, that does not have any low impedance pathways to other nodes. Such a high impedance node can be coupled to a resistor with a high resistance or a capacitor.

Further, although the present disclosure has been described herein in the context of at least one particular implementation in at least one particular environment for at least one particular purpose, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present disclosure may be beneficially implemented in any number of environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present disclosure as described herein. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A memory apparatus comprising: a precharge capacitor; a switching system coupled to the precharge capacitor, first and second voltage source nodes, and a memory cell; and an access controller configured to control the switching system to provide selected voltage levels to the memory cell to cause the memory cell to operate in a hold mode wherein the memory cell maintains a data state, a read mode wherein a data state is read from the memory cell, a first write mode wherein a logical low data state is written to the memory cell, and a second write mode wherein a logical high data state is written to the memory cell.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory cell comprises a zero-capacitor random access memory (Z-RAM) cell.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the selected voltage levels are provided to a gate node of the Z-RAM cell.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the gate node is a high impedance node having a gate capacitance.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first voltage source node is configured to provide a write voltage to the memory cell and the second voltage source node is configured to provide a hold voltage to the memory cell.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the precharge capacitor comprises a parasitic capacitor of a conductive signal line.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the precharge capacitor comprises a capacitor formed by a dummy wordline coupled to the memory cell.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the hold mode of operation the access controller is configured to trigger the switching system to couple the first voltage source node to the precharge capacitor and to couple the second voltage source node to the memory cell.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the read mode of operation the access controller is configured to trigger the switching system to decouple the first voltage source node from the precharge capacitor and to couple the precharge capacitor to the memory cell.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the first write mode of operation the access controller is configured to trigger the switching system to couple the first voltage source node to the precharge capacitor and the memory cell.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the hold mode of operation the access controller is configured to trigger the switching system to decouple the first voltage source node from the precharge capacitor, to decouple the memory cell from the precharge capacitor, and to couple the memory cell to the second voltage source node.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the read mode of operation the access controller is configured to trigger the switching system to decouple the memory cell from the second voltage source and to couple the precharge capacitor to the memory cell.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switching system comprises a first switch and a second switch, wherein the first switch and the second switch are connected in series, and wherein a first node of the first switch is coupled to the precharge capacitor, a first node of the second switch is coupled to the second voltage source node, and a common node of the first switch and the second switch is coupled to the memory cell.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the switching system further comprises a precharge switch, wherein a first node of the precharge switch is coupled to the precharge capacitor and a second node of the precharge switch is coupled to the first voltage source node.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first node of the first switch and the first node of the precharge switch are a common node.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the precharge switch comprises a tri-state logic gate.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the precharge switch comprises a transmission gate.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the precharge capacitor comprises a wordline bus.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the switching system comprises a first demultiplexer configured to drive signals onto the wordline bus.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the switching system further comprises a second demultiplexer configured to couple the wordline bus to the memory cell. 